Glen Iris man bites 7-year-old nephew

Camera IconThe man bit the young boy on the arm, causing bruising and pain. Credit: South Western Times

A 28-year-old Glen Iris man who was drunk when he bit his seven-year-old nephew on the arm has been labelled a dangerous person.

The man — who the South Western Times will not name to protect the identity of the boy — appeared in Bunbury Magistrate’s Court via video link from Bunbury Regional Prison on Friday when he pleaded guilty to unlawful assault.

The court was told the man travelled with friends to Perth on August 15 last year, when he consumed a six-pack of beer and a bottle of vodka.

After getting into a fight in Perth, the man travelled back to Bunbury in the car, sitting in the back with his nephew.

The court was told that sometime during the trip, the man bit the young boy on the arm, causing bruising and pain.

In court, defence lawyer William Reid said it was unclear how police became involved in the incident, but it was thought the child might have said something at school, prompting a mandatory report to police.

In a police interview 10 days after the assault, the man admitted he had been drinking heavily and could not remember the incident.

The man had been in custody over the incident since November last year due to the assault breaching a conditional suspended imprisonment order.

Mr Reid said the man was remorseful and otherwise had a good relationship with his nephew.

He said the man could “not think” why he would have done what he did.

Mr Reid also provided a letter from Breakaway Aboriginal Corporation which showed the man had not “been wasting time in custody” and was working on his rehabilitation.

Magistrate David MacLean said the assault was “obviously” a serious and “vile” offence that was aggravated by the fact the man was intoxicated.

Mr MacLean said intoxication was no excuse to bite a seven-year-old when adults were meant to protect children.

He also said the man had a “calendar” of serious offences, including violence and assault, and it was clear he was a dangerous man.

“You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to realise this is a serious offence,” Magistrate MacLean said.

Taking into account the time the man had spent in custody, Mr MacLean fined him $3000 and he must also pay court costs.